
THE NEXT WAVE
Sun-Kissed Harmonies: JUNO Unveils 'Sunburn,' Infusing 90s Nostalgia and Collaborative Artistry; Spotlight on Jude York, The Dandy’s, and Jude Korab
By Tsk Tsk
JUNO unveils the intricacies of their latest single, 'Sunburn,' a fusion of seamless production and poignant storytelling reminiscent of 90s dance music. With a nod to acts like Len, the duo imbues a contemporary essence into their sound. Juno candidly shares about the collaborative journey behind the track's creation, detailing the numerous iterations that led to its final form. With subconscious influences from the '90s interwoven into the music, the result is a compelling blend of warmth and subtle darker undertones, mirroring the complexities of entering a toxic relationship. Additionally, JUNO takes a moment to shine a spotlight on Jude York, recognized for exceptional songwriting and live prowess, alongside The Dandy’s and Jude Korab, all integral figures enriching the burgeoning music landscape.
Tsk Tsk: The production on 'sunburn' is both vibrant and crisp with this awesome sundrenched washed out vocal. It gives nods to 90’s Dance acts like Len but with a totally unique and modern twist. Could you share a bit about the collaborative process behind creating this track and how you navigated the balance between its upbeat sound and the deeper lyrical themes?
Juno - Ooh I love that! 'Steal My Sunshine' is such a banger. The production on 'sunburn' has been through a lot of evolutions and I think we wrote like, 6 verses before we landed on the final one. It was a process! Sam and I are very influenced by music of the 90s because that's what we grew up on, and I think you can really hear it bleed into the final version - pretty subconsciously in this one though honestly. And I like that that's how it goes sometimes with your art & music - your subconscious or your mood or your thoughts that day etc. will subtly bleed into what you're creating. On that note though, a lot of what we'll be releasing next year will be leaning even harder into that 90s sound. We've also really loved playing with juxtaposition in our music and visuals this year & 'sunburn' was really the epitome of that. I like when art has an unexpected twist. We wanted this song to sound warm & bright and mask the darker undertone of the lyrics to match the misinterpreted feeling and journey of entering a toxic relationship.
Tsk Tsk: You are both creative powerhouses in your own right, tell us about your meeting of minds and creative process?
Juno: I think the reason JUNO works so well is that Sam and I each have very different strengths that complement the other. Sam is an amazing producer and arranges our live show, and I top-line our songs as well as contribute more to JUNO's aesthetic and social media presence. We make a really strong team and our ability to communicate and understand one another just gets better and better with every year that passes.
Tsk Tsk: You’re hailing from the vibrant Meanjin/Brisbane music scene. Who are a couple of fellow musicians or bands you've recently come across that you believe are on the brink of making a significant impact?
Juno: The Dandy's (@thedandysband) for sure! They're amazing songwriters and their live show is impeccable. We're also big fans of Jude York (@judeyork) who we're going on tour with this month and also Jude Korab (@judekorab) who we released a song with a few months ago - huge fans of his songwriting & prod. Couple of Judes haha! The Meanjin scene is so good though, such a great musical community.
Tsk Tsk: With a mix of headline shows and National support tours with the likes of Peking Duk and Pacific Avenue under your belt, you're about to hit the road again? Tell us a little bit about your live show where you merge sounds from both the stage and studio?
Juno: I think our live show is very energetic and empowering. On stage is where I feel like the happiest, strongest version of myself and I think that's definitely reflected in the energy of our live show. We typically play with a 4 or 5 piece, featuring our sax player Ash Hutton, and he always pops off! Everyone loves him. We've had a massive year of touring and the band is sounding tighter than ever. They're also our best friends/housemates so we're really lucky to get to make sure with those guys.
Alongside Juno, this curated selection showcases an array of burgeoning talents, including The Terry’s, Le Shiv, Sesame Girl, Rowena Wise, Apricot Ink, Gut Health, and numerous others. In the days and weeks ahead, we'll delve deeper into these artists' journeys, exploring their sounds, stories, and the undeniable potential that propels them toward the brink. Stay tuned for the Next Wave.